BRENDAN Rodgers is hoping to have all five of the first team regulars who missed Celtic’s defeat to Hibernian on Sunday available for their crucial Ladbrokes Premiership games against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and Rangers at Ibrox next week.
Dedryck Boyata (hamstring), Ryan Christie (ankle), Mikael Lustig (head), Tom Rogic (knee) and Kieran Tierney (groin) all sat out the 2-0 loss to Neil Lennon’s side at Easter Road.
The reverse prevented the Scottish champions from reclaiming top spot in the league table from Kilmarnock and meant their city rivals, who have played a game more than them, later moved a point ahead of them when they beat Hamilton at Ibrox.
Rodgers revealed the league game against Motherwell at Parkhead tomorrow evening and even the home game with Dundee on Saturday may come too soon for the injured quintet.
But he is optimistic that Boyata, Christie, Lustig, Rogic and Tierney will all come into contention for starts for the trips to play Aberdeen on Boxing Day and then Rangers four days later.
“Dedryck has been out on the pitch so we will see where he is at towards the weekend,” said Rodgers.
“Ryan has been out jogging so we will see where he is at for the weekend. He came off on a stretcher, but that was more about the medical team protecting his ankle because he couldn’t put any weight on it. He has recovered well and he is very determined to try to get back out there, which is great.
“Mikael? We will wait and see. Again, it could be the weekend. Tom may be the weekend."
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